Landslide Victory for Environmental Defenders in Colombia

PRESS RELEASE: Colombia Solidarity Campaign
28 March 2017Citizens of Cajamarca vote 98% against La Colosa AngloGold Ashanti open cast gold mining project
The ​Consulta Popular (a popular consultation or referendum) held in Cajamarca, Colombia, on 26 March 2017 resulted in a 98% landslide result against mining activities in the municipality (Source: ​Registraduria Nacional​). Cajamarca is the location of AngloGold Ashanti’s flagship La Colosa open cast gold mining project, currently in exploration phase. La Colosa is touted by AngloGold Ashanti to be one of the largest gold mines in the world. However, the result of the referendum paints a bleak future for the controversial project. The referendum was held after numerous obstacles and legal battles, and follows almost a decade of mass mobilisations. In June last year, over 100,000 people in various parts of the Tolima province took to the streets to voice their opposition to AngloGold Ashanti (source:​El Espectador​).
Read the full press release at CajamarcaConsultaPopular-PRESSRELEASE
See also Villagers vote to ban ‘La Colosa’ gold mining project in Colombia and Central Colombia town bans ‘world’s largest open pit goldmine’.